The family and I visited RR Spring Resort during the Christmas holidays.

As usual, the trip from Davao to Maramag, Bukidnon is a treat to the senses. Despite the on-going road repairs, the cool weather and the view made up for the inconveniences brought by the bumpy ride in some places.

Check in was at 3pm. But we arrived earlier than expected. So we proceeded to their nature park overlooking Lake Pulangi, rented a table and had a late lunch there.

Yes, we brought our own food, specifically to have a picnic under the pine trees. More importantly, RR Spring Resort management allows their clients to bring food. Perfect for a large group who prefer to bring “baon” or cook their own food.

An hour or so later, we were informed that our cottages were ready. The hubby and I stayed in a bungalow type cottage which can accommodate 2 to 4 people. While the family stayed in a van type accommodation which can sleep 10 people. And comes with its own lawn , picnic table and dining area. For Php2,800.00 per night, we found that cheap.

And oh, the bungalow cottage comes with breakfast for 2.

Things to do at RR Spring Resort:

A) The main attraction of this resort is their 8 swimming pools. We like to stay overnight because we prefer to use the pools early in the morning when the water’s been changed and very few people have used it yet. Day trip users don’t arrive until 10 a.m. Hence, from 5 to 9:45am , the pools are ours. Not crowded, not dirty yet. Perfect!

With my sister here. At their 3 ft deep swimming pool. Oh please, do not laugh. 🙂 In our defense, we do not know how to swim. ha ha

The large kiddie pool.

B) As mentioned above, picnicking at the Pine Tree Park. Why not? 🙂 It is cool. It has beautiful views. It is shaded. It is breezy. And again it is cool. 🙂 If you’re from the Philippines, then you know how humid the weather can get. So a cooler temperature is such a welcome get-away from our daily 34’c weather.

Perfect for photo ops.

As a playground too…

Tambayan. 🙂

C) The place is perfect for those who love photography.  Lake Pulangi is the resort’s backyard. It is to me, a very interesting subject because it has so many things to offer. Varying from the animals thriving there, the fishermen, the ever changing cloud formation that’s reflected on it, the colorful sky during sunset or sunrise, the birds, the trees….

I love lakes and this is so far the only lake that’s easy to get to in the Philippines. To me, that is.

O di ba, parang hindi sa Pinas?! 🙂

This picture reminds me of the lakes in Florida, where birds and other animals abound.

D) Party with the family. It doesn’t have to be grand. With simple and ordinary food, a family dinner or breakfast becomes a great party when you are in good company. That’s the essence of a family get – away. Doing simple things. Together.

Dinner:   Marinated grilled pork chop. Grilled bangus, buttered chicken lollipop, watermelon, mangoes and pineapple. Yum!

Breakfast:

Bacon. Hotdog. Scrambled eggs. Porkchop. Bulad bolinao and salmoniete. 🙂

I mentioned earlier that our cottage came with free breakfast for 2 right? Here it is…

For the hubby, it came with bread. With jam and butter. Mine came with garlic rice. That’s typical Filipino breakfast – bacon and egg with fruit.

E) Ponds.  Other than the pine tree park and the lake, they have fish ponds where one enjoys watching a school of  gold fish play.  Then a hito (catfish) and tilapia pond for fishing.

Gentle reminder – please do not litter. I’ve seen the workers pick up soft drink bottles or cans. And other plastic wrappers. Let us be responsible travelers guys. Leave nothing but footprints please. It will be very sad if said plastic materials reach the lake. It will poison the fish and other living things thriving there. So please tell your kids , your nephews and nieces at this early stage to love our environment and protect them. How? By cleaning up and throwing away the garbage in the designated bins. You will find many of them all over the place.

RR Spring Resort is located in Maramag, Bukidnon, Philippines.

Google map says it is 128 kms. only from Davao City. And travel time should only take 2 hours and 28 minutes. But with repair works and the bumpy roads in some areas, not to mention the winding road – give an additional 1 hour allowance to the trip.

Road tripping is fun. So don’t worry. 🙂 There are so many things on the road that will catch your interest.

Locally known as “skylab”, this passenger motorcycle is used in the provinces to carry people from one point to another.

Toploading. Yes, it is dangerous. But when you do not have a choice, this is most Filipinos do. Some of us, do it for fun. I can’t relate. But then again, I am lame. Sometimes. 🙂

For information purposes.  La Toscana can be found also in Buda. Before reaching Quezon, Bukidnon. This is an Italian restaurant which happens to be a favorite. Their food is good. So if you are hungry, try visiting this place. Coming from Davao it is on the left side

Look at the winding road. That’s where we just came from. 🙂

Our highway sometimes become a drying area for cocoa seeds. he he

And of course, stop to buy vegetables. I bought a lot of vegetables and root crops for P400.00 . At the market in Davao, that’s probably P1,000.00 already. 🙂

Okay, so if your feet are itching to go somewhere, try Bukidnon. And stay at RR Family Spring Resort.

Before I forget, sometimes there are guests who do not think. They sing at their heart’s content even late at nights. So just tell the guards about it and they will do something about it. Karaoke is allowed until 9pm only.

Lea C. Walker